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Address

Covesea Lighthouse
near Lossiemouth
Moray
IV31 6SP

Regional Information

Situated on the north east coast of Scotland, Lossiemouth is favoured by the mild Gulf Stream air, miles of excellent beaches and beautiful surrounding countryside. The town began as a port at the mouth of the River Lossieto help the town of Elgin in trading. The port is now a busy town itself and a spectacular marina has been developed in the twin basined harbour.

The town known affectionately as simply 'Lossie' offers something for everyone. Visitors can enjoy long walks, spectacular scenery and beautiful sandy beaches. The West Beach passing the landmark Covesea Lighthouse is some 3 miles long. History records a hermit who inhabited a cave and would walk the headland with a torch to warn ships away from the dangerous rocks of the Covesea and Halliman Skerries.

Halliman Skerry, Covesea Lighthouse

The Lighthouse accommodation at Covesea is under the ownership of Covesea Lighthouse Community Company Ltd. Halliman Skerry is a single-storey property in the Covesea Skerries lighthouse complex and is situated in the courtyard below the lighthouse tower. As the entire complex is fully enclosed, this accommodation is great for families with young children who wish to spend a special holiday by the sea. More >

The lighthouse complex is situated on the mainland, just opposite the Halliman Skerries which are a reef of rocks that are covered at high tide. Visitors can also enjoy two superb beaches nearby. One, West Bay, stretches for three miles to the west, beyond the headland housing Covesea Lighthouse.

If you are interested in a larger group/ family booking, additional accommodation is available at Covesea Skerry. The neighbouring cottage accommodates 4 guests.

About the property:

The Covesea Skerries form a group of small islands and rocks that lie off the Moray coast, 3 miles west of Lossiemouth and 1 mile west of Covesea.

Following the loss of 16 ships during a storm in the Moray Firth in November 1826, many applications were made for lighthouses to be established at Tarbat Ness (near Portmahomack on the Dornoch Firth) and Covesea Skerries to mark the wide entrance to the Firth and its confusing series of inlets.

Following a lengthy process, approval was finally received for the building of the lighthouse on Craighead and a beacon on the dangerous Halliman's Scars. Robert Stevenson's son, Alan, designed the new Covesea Skerries lighthouse and beacon. The iron beacon was completed in 1845 and the new lighthouse followed in 1846. Egyptian influences can be seen in the entrance to the tower, the chimneys of the cottages and the arches at the top of the lighthouse tower beneath the balcony.

Covesea Lighthouse was manned until 1984 when automation meant that the keepers were no longer required and the switching on and off of the lamp could be done remotely from the Northern Lighthouse Board headquarters in Edinburgh. With the advent of new technology, the addition of a North Cardinal Buoy next to the Halliman Skerries allowed the lamp to be switched off in 2012.

Covesea Lighthouse is open for pre-booked guided tours. For opening times and and bookings please contact info@covesealighthouse.co.uk or telephone 01343 810 664. Whilst groups will be welcome, access to the tower is limited to 8 people at a time.

About the area:

The coastal town of Lossiemouth is just over a mile away and can be reached by walking along the lovely beach. It offers the visitor a range of facilities including sea angling, stunning unspoilt beaches and wildlife , an excellent range of shopping and quality restaurants and cafes, all making the most of the plentiful supply of fresh seafood. The Silver Sands Holiday Park is just 5 minutes' walk from the lighthouse and here you will find a shop, cafe, bar and a play area for children. Lossiemouth also offers visitors a range of golfing opportunities with its two 18-hole golf courses. < Less